"The first series of Homeland performed very strongly for Ten,'' Mr Allen says.

"Even though it was about American homeland security, it was so well acted, scripted and produced that Aussie audiences got into it.''

Scandal is a political thriller set in Washington DC from producer Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy).Kerry Washington plays crisis management consultant Olivia Pope who is a former employee of the US President.

DRAMAS

Underground: The Julian Assange Story

Network: Ten

Stars: Alex Williams, Rachel Griffiths, Anthony LaPaglia

Plot: Investigators track teenage computer hacker Julian Assange

Audience appeal: High. There is plenty of fascination in the Wikileaks founder.

Prediction: Hit

Homeland

Network: Ten

Stars: Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, Mandy Patinkin

Plot: Counterterrorism officer tries to unmask suspected terrorist.

Audience appeal: High. Everyone who watched series one will be back for series two.

Prediction: Hit

Scandal

Network: Seven

Stars: Kerry Washington, Columbus Short, Katie Lowes

Plot: Crisis management team protects images of nation's political and social elite.